Joe Hart will play against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday meaning further heartbreak for Shay Given.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini pledged Hart his total backing after the England No 1's blunder against Blackburn and insists he will not take him out of the firing line.

Despite hinting that former No 1 Given might play in the Europa League group stages, Mancini will stick with Hart in Austria to help his young goalkeeper get his gaffe out of his system.

"These situations can happen in football," said the Italian. "It doesn't change my opinion of playing Joe in Europe on Thursday.

"It's a difficult decision for me because as I keep saying, Shay is a strong goalkeeper like Joe, but at this moment this is my choice.

"We are involved in four competitions and I'm sure Shay will play in Europe at some point. But I will continue to play Joe on Thursday."

Hart, 23, admitted he was to blame for the mistake, which gifted Nikola Kalinic the opener in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Eastlands, after racing out of his area, instead of leaving Kolo Toure to clear the danger.

"Joe called for the ball and that's why Kolo didn't play it, I think," said Mancini. "This hasn't shaken my belief in him. Joe is a good goalkeeper, like Shay. This sort of situation can happen for a goalkeeper during the season.

"He's still young, but he is strong enough mentally not to let this bother him. And he did make a very good save towards the end of the game."

Hart has taken the first step in putting the error behind him by publicly apologising to his team-mates.

"I got there and Kolo was about to head it, he heard me coming and left it," he said. "It was me getting in the way if I am honest. I hold my hands up and I'm sorry for that."

Mancini also defended David Silva, who has made a slow start to his City career following his high-profile £26million move from Valencia.

The slight winger has failed to live up to his star billing and has not started a league game for the Blues since Tottenham on the opening day.

Blackburn defender Michel Salgado, who played against Silva in La Liga, joined the growing number of doubters when he claimed the Spanish international will struggle to adapt to the hurly burly of English football.

Mancini has no such concerns, claiming Silva has not been helped by jetting all over the world with Spain and says he will play against Salzburg.

"We've only been able to work with Silva for a couple of days since he arrived," he said. "He had only just arrived and he went off with his national team to Mexico. Then he came back and was off again with national team to Argentina. But in the next game, it will be time for him to play."